Friday, October 19, 2012

A Commencement of Sorts


I’ve been trying to find words that would in any way do justice to my feelings and experiences over the last 6 months with Team in Training.  But the right words continually escape me.  Life has an amazing twist of ups and downs, and if you take those away it loses its luster.  These last few months have left me full of life and gratitude.  My heart has been so full.

I searched for a long time trying to find something that would make me feel that I was using my talents and fulfilling my purpose.  When I found TNT I felt like I had come home.  I felt like I had finally found my place – in daily service to those around me.  One person can’t cure cancer by herself, but that won’t stop her from trying!

Crossing the finish line at 3 hours and 37 minutes, after running 13.1 grueling miles, my body was ready to collapse, but my heart was filled with so much joy, it boiled over as tears.  Jamie was standing there waiting, completely covered up to hide from the sun that is deadly to her right now.  Her GVHD (a reaction to her transfusion last July) is pretty bad right now, but she deals with it every day, and somehow manages to have a positive outlook and a bright smile every time I see her.  She is an inspiration to me!

Many of my teammates are cancer survivors or are married to one.  We have all experienced the devastating dread that comes with the diagnosis of blood cancer.  It’s never easy.  But the road we walk together is one of inspiration and love. 

I once thought that one person couldn’t really that much of  a difference, but TNT has taught me that I can.  From one person’s desire to find a cure for blood cancer came an entire family full of advocates.  We raised over $5000 and ran hundreds of miles.  We have overcome many health problems and have become even closer as a family.  No person is ever too small to make a difference.

I want to issue a challenge to everyone who reads this.  You can achieve anything your heart feels a desire to do. Nothing is ever too great. Find your desire.  Find that thing that plants a burning flame in your heart, then go out there and make it happen.  Life is too short to let it pass by.  You CAN make a difference! And if your path just so happens to lead you to running marathons with TNT, we welcome you with open arms. Don’t wait for life to come to you.  Go out there and make it happen. =)

Much love and gratitude to all those who helped make my time with TNT a success. I plan on doing my part to cure cancer for as long as I am able.  This isn’t an ending…my journey has only just begun.